Sunday, January 22, 2012

The status of woman

The
status of woman in former times was exceedingly deplorable, for it was
the belief of the Orient that it was best for woman to be ignorant. It
was considered preferable that she should not know reading or writing in
order that she might not be informed of events in the world. Woman was
considered to be created for rearing children and attending to the
duties of the household. If she pursued educational courses, it was
deemed contrary to chastity; hence women were made prisoners of the
household. The houses did not even have windows opening upon the outside
world. Bahá'u'lláh destroyed these ideas and proclaimed the equality of
man and woman. He made woman respected by commanding that all women be
educated, that there be no difference in the education of the two sexes
and that man and woman share the same rights. In the estimation of God
there is no distinction of sex. One whose thought is pure, whose
education is superior, whose scientific attainments are greater, whose
deeds of philanthropy excel, be that one man or woman, white or colored,
is entitled to full rights and recognition; there is no differentiation
whatsoever … ‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace

About Me

Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators—known as Manifestations of God—whose teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.

Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh.